Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-03-26
Tennessee Agriculture.
Planters Journ al.

Planters Journal.
With the rapid and wonderful de-
velopment of the mining and manu-
featuring resources of Tennessee, her
people are awakening, to a realiza-
ton of her immense agricultural
wealth. There is no portion of the
Union surprising this State in fertili-
ty of soil, adaptation to all crops
grown outside of the tropics, salubri-
GUS, equsble and healthful climate,
reliability of seasons and accessibility
to the best markets of the world. All
parts of the State are abundantly sup
piled with the purest and best water.
Land inferior in quality, and less de-
sirable for agricultural purposes in
many parts of the Eastern States,
commands from 800 to 5000 and up
wards per acre, while the richest and
most desirable farms in Tennessee
can be purchased at 500 to $50 per
acre. What is needed, and all that
is needed, to bring these choice lands
up to the highest prices in any of the
States, is to improve our agriculture
to its capacity of production, The
quickest, surest and best means of do
ing this is through theinstrumentali-
ty of Agricultural Fairs, County and
State.
Every county in Middle Tennes-
see, and each of the rich agricultural
counties of the Western and Eastern
Divisions of the State, should have
an organized Agricultural Fair Asso-
citation, and hold county fair every
year. In addition to these county or
local fairs, there should also be an
annual fair for each of the three
Grand Divisions Of the State. This
was done at one time, with great sue
cess and incalculable benefit to the
farmer and stockman. In 1865 the
Legislature of the State adopted a
wise and liberal system by establish
ing a Grand Division Fair at Jack
son, Nashville and Knoxville, pur-
chasing sites for the grounds and
handsomely improving them. AT
each of these was held annually a
large and successful fair. County
Fairs were also organized in all parts
of the State, and well patronized.
Farmers and all classes entered into
the spirit of the movement, and the
great cause of agriculture aWoke
from the lethargy under which il
had so long slumbered, and prosperi'
ty such as had never before been
known to her people, pervaded the
State. Improved culture was intro
duced, the crop yields increased, the
prices of lands advanced, fine stock
multiplied, choice fruits of all kinds
were cultivated, and the people
everywhere prosperous, contentet
and happy.
Such was the situation of Tennes
see agriculture when the unhapp,
war disrupted the county and filled
the land with widespread desolation
But now, that new life has inspired
our people with hope, and prosperit.
such as never before dawned upol
the land is laying its blessings at GU
feet, it only needs an organized, res
olute and determined action on tn
part of the farmers of Tennessee t.
not only resume the prosperity the,
once enjoyed, but increase it far be
yond any success ever dreamed of il
former times.
Let the Legislature of Tennessee b
wise and liberal in its appropriation
in fostering the greatest interest c
the State, Let them remember tina
agriculture is at the foundation of a,
her prosperity, and the standard b
which her wealth and power are est
mated. You may appropriate to
little-you cannot appropriate tw
much if it is wisely expended. LIE
the leading agriculturists throughor
the State organize. and begin the goo
work, and the ball, once put in M
ton, will roll triumphant from Johr
son to Shelby, and scatter its benefit
and blessings among her people, gi,